Teacher Neb Stojkovic in his Advanced Math Studies at Walled Lake Central High School. Stojkovic is one of the five finalists in the Kelly & Michael Top Teacher Search. Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Tim Thompson-The Oakland Press

Teacher Neb Stojkovic with students Sydney Stewart, 18, left, and Erica Katz, 17, in his Advanced Math Studies at Walled Lake Central High School. Stojkovic is one of the five finalists in the Kelly & Michael Top Teacher Search. Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Tim Thompson-The Oakland Press

Nebojsa Stojkovic, a Walled Lake Central High School teacher and track coach, doesn’t sleep a lot.

His days are filled with teaching, training athletes and overseeing a nonprofit that raises money for children’s hospitals.

All that inspired a former student, Kelsey Prena, to nominate Stojkovic, 31, for the Top Teacher Search presented through the syndicated morning show, “Live Kelly & Michael” with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

On April 25, Stojkovic was one of the top 12 national finalists and as of April 29, he’s among the top five.

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When he heard Tuesday’s announcement, he said, “my blood pressure went up,” said Stojkovic.

Prena’s nomination said Stojkovic made learning fun. She also said in 2007 he began Passion for Life (passion-for-life.org), a nonprofit organization that raises money for a local children’s hospital and for families in the community with high medical costs. “He has single-highhandedly bettered the lives of his students, athletes, community members, and anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting him,” wrote Prena, 22.

When Stojkovic was in college, he worked with disabled preschoolers. “I can’t stand the sight of blood so I couldn’t be a doctor,” he said. He decided instead to help in a different way by fundraising for children’s hospitals.

A native Serbian, Stojkovic grew up in Walled Lake and now lives in Commerce. His mother moved back to Serbia and Stojkovic is looking forward to visiting her this summer, he said.

Kelly & Michael camera crews will film him at work during the week of May 5 and he will be flown to New York to appear on the show May 16.

The other teachers are from Cleveland, Tenn., Great Neck, N.Y., Elyria, Ohio, and Roanoke Rapids, N.C. People will eventually be able to vote online for their favorites. Stojkovic said the top teacher will be selected May 20.

Central principal Chuck Morgan called Stojkovic “selfless.” “He was born to serve,” he said.